Who should buy this Type Cover keyboard alternative

If you don't want to spend upwards of $130 on a genuine Surface Go Type Cover from Microsoft, Chesona's case and keyboard alternative can be had for about $40. It likely won't match up to the same quality as the Type Cover (and it won't connect to the Go the same way), but alternatives are currently hard to find.

Is it a good time to buy this keyboard alternative?

You might be tempted to wait and see if a standalone Type Cover alternative is ever released — there are some quality options for the Surface Pro that took a while to hit the market — but if you need an affordable keyboard that attaches to your Go right now, this is your best bet.

Reasons to buy

More affordable than a true Type Cover

Built into a folio case for extra protection

One-year warranty

Connects with Bluetooth

Uses a rechargeable battery

Reasons not to buy

Might not want an entire case with the keyboard

No backlight

Add protection and a keyboard at once to your Surface Go

True Type Cover alternatives for the Surface Go — ones that connect to the bottom of the tablet and fold up like a cover — are currently hard to come by, but Chesona makes a case and keyboard combo that essentially fills the role at a much cheaper price. For about $40, you add a Bluetooth keyboard that's about the same size as a Type Cover, as well as a folio-style case.

Add a Bluetooth keyboard to your Go and get a slim and light synthetic leather case to boot.

The case has cutouts for side buttons and cameras on the back, and though it doesn't let you use the Go's built-in kickstand, it has its own stand that props the tablet up for typing. The case is thin, light, and made primarily from synthetic leather, with a microfiber coating on the inside to prevent scratches.

A rechargeable battery powers the Bluetooth keyboard — a charging cable is included — and you can expect a long battery life due to the keys not being backlit. A 30-day money-back guarantee essentially lets you test it out, and a one-year warranty gives you some peace of mind.

Alternatives to the Chesona Surface Go keyboard and case

If you'd rather not sacrifice the Go's built-in kickstand and don't really need a case to go along with the keyboard, you can always grab a compact, standalone Bluetooth keyboard to use with your Go.

Runner-up

Logitech's K380 is an affordable and quality Bluetooth keyboard that works on multiple devices, including the Surface Go. It won't attach to the Go like a Type Cover, but it's small enough that you should be able to tuck it into a laptop bag without issue.

With the K380, you get about two years of battery life from a charge, and it has a range of about 32 feet thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. The circular keys are comfortable to type on, Logitech's Flow tech allows you to seamlessly switch between three connected devices, and it's small enough (about 10 inches by 5 inches) that it can ride along with you in most bags.

Bottom line

If you need a keyboard alternative for your Surface Go, Chesona's keyboard and case is affordable and will certainly get the job done despite not being a true Type Cover. The case is made from synthetic leather and doesn't add much bulk to the tablet, the keyboard connects with Bluetooth, and a rechargeable battery inside lasts for days on end.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Cale Hunt is a full-time writer for Windows Central, focusing mainly on PC hardware and VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user, and when he has some free time you can usually find him practicing guitar or reorganizing his ever-growing library. If you hear him say "Sorry!" it's only because he's Canadian.

Rich Edmonds is a staff reviewer at Windows Central, which means he tests out more software and hardware than he cares to remember. Joining Mobile Nations in 2010, you can usually find him inside a PC case tinkering around when not at a screen fighting with Grammarly to use British words. Hit him up on Twitter: @RichEdmonds.